Gilbane Building Company names new president and chief operating officer

Gilbane Building Company, a global, award-winning leader in construction and facilities-related services, today announced Michael McKelvy has joined the company as President and Chief Operating Officer. McKelvy will be based in the company’s Providence, RI headquarters and will formally assume his new position on July 7. 

Also next month, in anticipation of Gilbane’s foreseeable growth over the next several years, Bill Gilbane, Jr., the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer since 2004, will assume the role of Vice Chairman where he will devote more of his time to shepherding Gilbane’s business units toward long-term success and strategic growth in partnership with the company’s current leadership team while overseeing McKelvy’s transition.  McKelvy will immediately assume profit and loss responsibility companywide.

“Mike truly understands who we are as a company and is a perfect complement to our existing leadership team,” said Tom Gilbane, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  He added, “When we consider the leadership and experience that Mike brings combined with the caliber and expertise of our current senior management, I am incredibly excited and impressed with the possibilities that lay ahead.” 

Bill Gilbane commented, “I’m fortunate to be in great health and intend to continue working full-time doing what I love to do - helping our business units grow by supporting project teams on their key pursuits and working directly with clients to ensure continued operational excellence, client satisfaction and an ongoing superior safety record.”  He added, “Mike not only brings expertise in a wide range of market segments that parallel Gilbane’s path towards growth, but he is also a terrific cultural fit for Gilbane. He really gets why this is such a special place to work. Tom and I are both looking forward to sharing the reins of the company with someone as experienced and capable as Mike.”  With several Gilbane family members currently holding senior leadership positions throughout the organization, Gilbane stands committed to remaining a private, family-owned business and continuing its 141-year old tradition of family leadership within the company.

McKelvy comes to Gilbane from an accomplished 26-year career with CH2M HILL, a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program and construction management with 26,000 employees across six continents.  Most recently, he served as CH2M HILL’s Chief Delivery Officer (CDO); Executive Vice President for U.S. Federal delivery; and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. In his role as CDO, McKelvy was responsible for profit/loss and delivery for global regions - including the United States - global construction, global Operations and Maintenance and Strategic Consulting and served as Director of Corporate Risk, Safety, Security, Procurement, Project Controls, Design and Quality.  He also supported the firm’s strategy, sustainability, ethics, safety, quality and diversity as part of the corporate leadership team. Previous roles at CH2M HILL include President and group Chief Executive for the Government, Environment, Nuclear and Transportation Division; President and group Chief Executive for the Industrial Client group; and President for the Manufacturing and Life Sciences Business Group.

McKelvy commented, “I am excited to become a part of Gilbane.  Their culture of ethics, integrity and client service, all within a total commitment to safety, is in alignment with my experience and values.” He continued, “As with my former company, Gilbane’s employees make the difference and set them apart from the crowd. Gilbane is uniquely positioned for growth and continued international expansion.  I am privileged to be able to work with Tom and Bill on Gilbane’s Vision 2017 and the next chapter of Gilbane’s history.” 

A Registered Architect in 30 U.S. states, McKelvy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Design from Oklahoma University; a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Louisiana Tech University and has completed executive programs in Strategy and Leadership at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Management.